Introducing the 2024 A-1 Top Gun: Myles Breiner

Jail Mail Newsletter Special: Honoring Excellence with the A-1 Top Gun Award

It’s officially 2025, and in reviewing 2024, I am thrilled to announce this year’s A-1 Bail Bonds Top Gun Award—a tradition that recognizes outstanding contributions to Hawaii’s legal community. The award criteria is a rich tapestry of qualities, evaluated through three key factors:

1. Representation in Hawaii’s most significant criminal cases.

2. Successful “no jail” outcomes for clients.

3. Social impact on the criminal justice system.

Before diving into this year’s winner, let’s honor our past recipients who set the bar for excellence.

Celebrating Our Past Winners

Thomas Otake:

• The only back-to-back winner of the A-1 Top Gun Award (2021 and 2022). Mr. Otake was recognized for his landmark acquittals in the Iremamber Sykap police shooting case and the Christopher Deedy trial. He earned his second award for his groundbreaking work on the Obrero case, which clarified the procedures for initiating felony prosecutions in Hawai‘i and, most importantly, curtailed the prosecutor’s ability to charge the same crime multiple times by changing venues after failed indictment attempts.

  

  AI Generated David Hayakawa

• Judge David Hayakawa: Formerly known as the “King of Family Court,” Judge Hayakawa was recognized for his work as a criminal defense attorney in securing a mistrial verdict—against all odds—in the Waipahu love triangle case, as well as his charitable efforts with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Richardson School of Law.

These legal giants have set an incredible precedent, and now we move forward to honor this year’s winner.

For 2024, the A-1 Top Gun award goes to none other than Myles Breiner, a name synonymous with fearless advocacy and impactful change in Hawaii’s legal landscape.

In the past 16 months, Mr. Breiner has achieved multiple significant victories, including resolving high-stakes cases with bail amounts ranging from $500,000 to $750,000—not only on O‘ahu but across the outer island circuits as well. While confidentiality prevents me from sharing all the details, I can share with you that once a year, I personally review and close files for A-1’s year end report; and Mr. Breiner had the highest case load and most “no jail,” resolutions of any attorney I’ve reviewed in 2024.

Advancing Systemic Change

Beyond individual cases, Mr. Breiner’s contributions to the criminal justice system have been transformative. Few people realize that he played a pivotal role in the landmark Criminal Pretrial Task Force Report, authored by Judge Rom Trader and Shirley Kawamura. This groundbreaking report reshaped the way arraignment and plea hearings are conducted in Hawai‘i. Today, thanks to these efforts, bail studies are consistently published and reviewed at arraignment and plea hearings, and opportunities for bail reduction are now commonplace early in the pretrial process.

Years ago, the criminal justice system faced a dark period when advocacy often turned combative. Individuals without practical experience in the system shouted down opposing viewpoints, labeling those who disagreed as fascists or bigots for not aligning with “radically progressive” ideologies.

Mr. Breiner’s approach to justice stands apart. He champions compassion and second chances while fostering respectful dialogue across differing views. He saves the battles for open court and backs up his arguments with flawless motions rooted in the law. Meticulously detailed, he routinely takes on the difficult cases many turn down. He not only advocates for his clients while fighting their cases but also stands by them post-conviction, filing grievances and warnings when he believes they face mistreatment in custody.

The Personal Touch

What sets Mr. Breiner apart is his unwavering commitment to his clients. He’s one of the few attorneys who has offered to post bail for clients using funds earmarked for his services already deposited into his client trust account. For those outside the legal system, that’s like paying for a client’s bail out of your own pocket—that’s how much he cares about the freedom of his clients.

While many attorneys become less accessible once retainers are paid, Mr. Breiner remains deeply involved, ensuring his clients feel supported throughout their legal journey. Time and time again, I hear from clients praising his ability to not just win cases but to build lasting, meaningful relationships in the process.

GOAT Moment

Years ago, Mr. Breiner cemented his reputation as a fierce advocate by literally going to the mat for his client. In a hallway near the judges’ chambers, he confronted a prosecutor who accused his client of lying. Breiner, unwavering in his defense, declared, “My client didn’t lie,” with such conviction that the exchange escalated into a shoving match.

How many defense attorneys do you know who would defend their clients with such tenacity? That moment is a testament to Myles’ ethos as a “sword and shield” for his clients. Whether challenging prosecutors or standing firm against government overreach, his aggressive yet compassionate approach to advocacy ensures that justice isn’t just a concept—it’s delivered.

A Legacy of Fearless Advocacy

One story that exemplifies Mr. Breiner’s fearless approach is his handling of Hawaii’s largest criminal indictment—the gamblers’ sweepstakes case. When faced with the threat of re-indictment, he took his fight public, boldly challenging then-City Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro on live TV to “put up or shut up.”

What’s even more remarkable is how Mr. Breiner’s exceptional legal skills earned him respect—even from adversaries. In a twist of fate, the very man he once confronted, Keith Kaneshiro, later hired Myles to represent him after Kaneshiro received a federal target letter.

When the stakes are high, skill and character win the day.

This story isn’t just about courtroom victories; it’s about the integrity and relentless commitment that Mr. Breiner brings to every case. His unwavering dedication to fighting for his clients—even when the odds are stacked against them—makes him an indispensable ally for anyone navigating Hawaii’s criminal justice system.

A Much-Deserved Recognition

Whether through his courtroom victories, his advocacy for a fairer system, or his quiet philanthropy—like his unwavering platinum-level support for Rock 4 Justice—Myles Breiner embodies the qualities we honor with the A-1 Top Gun Award.

Congratulations, Mr. Breiner. Your tireless dedication to your clients and our community has not gone unnoticed.

- Your Partner in Justice, Got Bail Nick